Conveyer



Aug; 4, 1953 S. J. SPURGEON ET AL CONVEYER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 31, 1947 .0 0 mfimw mmmfw Wo ff, K J r 4 w Aug. 4, 1953 5. J. SPURGEON ET AL 2,647,617

CONVEYER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Dec. 31, 1947 1953 s. J. SPURGEQN ETAL ,617

CONVEYER I5 Sheet s-Sheet 3 Original Filed Dec. 31, 1947 I/fflfd Patented Aug. 4, 1953 UNITED ST PATENT OFFICE CONVEYER Samuel J. Spurgeon and Rushton 0. Kimbro,- Birmingham, Ala.; said Kimbro assignor to said Spurgecn 6 Claims.

This application is a division of our copending application Serial No. 795,070, filed December 31, 1947, now Patent No. 2,592,831, and relates to belt conveyor mechanisms having supporting and spacing member and belt protecting means therefor.

An object of our invention is to provide apparatus of the character designated which shall be simple of design, economical of manufacture, light in weight and sufficiently rugged to withstand the hard usage to which such mechanism usually is put.

Another object of our invention is to provide apparatus of the character designated in which the belt supporting rolls are resiliently mounted so as to absorb shocks imposed by the load on the belt.

Another object is to mount the load carrying idlers in such a way that the bottom of the idlers project beneath the supporting framework therefor, whereby the return flight of the belt, when deflected upwardly for any reason, strikes the lower surface of the load carrying idler instead of the framework, thus preventing damage to the belt.

Other objects of our invention are to provide apparatus of the character described embodying downwardly sloping spill plates disposed well beneath the outer edges of the upper flight of the conveyor belt and well beyond and below the edges of the lower-flight, thereby to deflect away from the lower flight any material spilled from the upper flight; to secure the spill plates to the idler support structures and idler frames in such a manner that the same serve as longitudinal frame and spacing members between adjacent idler support structures and their associated idlers, and so connected as to permit individual adjustment of the idlers thereby to compensate for variations in elevation between adjacent idlers and their supports; to provide a conveyor assembly suitable for permanent or temporary installation; to reduce the overall weight and cost of the idlers and framework through the general use of light gauge stampings, shapes, and sheets; to utilize portions of the idler frame as scraper cleaning means to remove any sticky material which may collect on the rolls, thereby to maintain a concentric roll even though there is some building up of conveyed material thereon.

. Apparatus embodying the features of our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a pair of assemblies, each of which comprises a troughing idler roll, a return idler roll and an associated chair support connected together by our improved spill plates;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly comprisin a troughing idler, a return idler, a chair support and associated spill plates with one of the spill plates removed and the other spill plates broken away and in section;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a troughing roll together with the roll bearing housing and mounting bracket assembly therefor;

Fig. 4 is an end view partly broken away of the return idler and supporting framework therefor;

Fig. 5 is a plan view partly broken away and in section showing one end of a typical roll mounted in its supporting framework;

Fig. 6 is an end view, partly in section, of the roll and associated framework shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken along line VII-Vl' l.' of Fig. 1, illustrating the means provided for connecting one of the spill plates to the troughing idler and chair support;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view taken along line VIIIVI1I of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view partly broken away showing a modified spill plate and adaptor plate for connecting the same to the troughing idler frame and to the chair support;

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view taken along line XX of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmental perspective view partly in section showing the modified spill plate connected to one of the frame members of the troughing idler frame; and,

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view taken on line X]IXII of Fi 1.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of our invention, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, our improved conveyor mechanism comprises a plurality of troughing idler frames indicated generally by the numeral Ill. Rotatably mounted in the troughing idler frame are a plurality of troughing rolls II for supporting the upper load carrying flight l2 of a conveyor belt, which together form the troughing idler. Mounted beneath the troughin idler rolls l I is a single roll 13 for supporting the lower return flight M of the conveyor belt. Roll l3 with its associated parts and immediate framework constitute the return idler. Both the troughing and return idlers are mounted on chair supports I? which may be channels with the flanges I8 and I9 outturned. The webs of the channels H are cut as indicated at 2| and are turned in to provide inwardly projecting flanges 22. The chair supports are spaced apart by longitudinally extending spill plates It which are connected at one point on the ends in longitudinally fixed relation to the chair supports, at another point in adjustable relation to each troughing idler in a manner to be described later in detail. As is well understood, the conveying apparatus is provided with head and tail sections, not shown, by means of which the belt is driven and at which the return flight begins.

Mounted on the flanges 22 and secured thereto by means of bolts 23 and nuts 24 are L-shaped members 29 provided with elongated slots 2? for passing the bolts 23. For ease of fabrication the members 23 may be formed in halves and joined along the line 26a, though they may be made as an integral unit. Secured to the vertical leg 23 of the L-shaped member 25 in any suitable manner, as by welding, are a pair of channel frame members 23 and SI which form transverse cross members for supporting the return idler roll [3. The return idler roll I3 of each stand is mounted between and supported by the cross members 29 and SI in a manner identical with the mounting of the rolls II of the troughing idlers.

Mounted on the upper flanges it of the channels I7 are idler end brackets 32 and 33 which together with channel members 33 and form the support members for all the troughing idler rolls. As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the members 32 and 33 comprise outwardly bent horizontal sections 34 provided with an elongated slot 36. A bolt 31 passes through the slot 36 and flange I3 of the channel Ii and is provided with a nut 33. Bent upwardly from the sections 3% are vertical sections 39, andbent inwardly from each section 39 is a vertical section M. The sections M are bent outwardly along the line 42 to form a sloping flange d3, normal to the section ll. The section 33 also is bent along the line A l to provide gusset sections 45 which may be welded as at 4'! to the horizontal flanges 36.

Connected to the brackets 32 and 33 at opposite sides of the troughing idler roll stands by welding at 48 are the upwardly sloping ends 53 and 54 of a pair of transverse channels '59 and 5|, each of which has a central, horizontally disposed section 52. The channels 49 and 5| form the immediate supports for the series of rolls 1 I of the troughing idler mounted thereon as will be described, and serve as upper transverse braces for the troughing idler frame.

While other types of idler rolls may be employed I prefer to use the type described in'the above mentioned co-pending application.

The troughing idler rolls I I and the return idler roll I3 are each supported at either end by means of a roll mounting bracket indicated generally by the numeral 56. These brackets are identical for the rolls H and I3 and a description of one will suffice for all. As shown more clearly in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 the bracket 55 comprises a vertical centrally recessed portion 51 having an opening 58 therein for receiving the ends of the rolls II and E3. The roll mounting brackets are provided with opposed arms 59 and 9-! which terminate in vertically disposed sockets 62 and 63. The sockets are adapted to fit between the horizontally disposed flanges of the transverse members 29--3I or 495I. The bearing housing of the rolls and brackets 53 may be formed integrally but preferably are formed separately for convenience of fabrication and later assembled together by welding to form the composite assembly as shown.

Within each of the sockets $2 and 63 is a bushing 66 formed of resilient material such as rubber. At the lower end of the socket and beneath the bushings 64 is a load distributing washer 66 formed of metal. Beneath the washer 66 is a resilient washer 87 of rubber or other resilient material. A pin 68 passes through the bushing 6d, washers '53 and 6-1, and the upper and lower horizontal flanges of the members 29- 3i or 495I. The lower end of the pins 68 are provided with annular grooves 39 adapted to receive a snap lock washer lI. As shown more clearly in Fig. 6, the upper end of the bushing 6d may b slightly tapered as indicated at '32.

As before stated, the chair supports IT on which are mounted the troughing and return idlers are held in fixed spaced relation by the spill plates It. In the type of spill plate shown in Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 8, the same comprises a plate bent to provide an upper, sloping section l3, and a lower vertical section TM. The sloping section H3 is disposed to rest on the sloping flange 63 of the troughing idler end plate 32 or 33, and is connected thereto by means of bolts l6. As best shown in Fig. 2, the bolt l6 passes through an elongated opening TI in the flange 43. The vertical section M is provided with a vertically elongated slot 'IS and is secured to the chair support I? by means of a bolt I9 and nut 3i therefor. A half oval, elongated washer 82 is welded to the underside of and in alignment with holes 83 formed near the ends of the sloping section of the spill plates it. The washer B2 lies at right angles to and spans the slotted opening ll of the sloping flange 13 thereby spacing the spill plate from the flange 53. This arrangement affords an adjustable connection between the spill plate and the flange 43, and permits a slight vertical movement between the plate and flange 43 without bending either.

The sloping section I3 of the spill plate I6 extends longitudinally along the belt between adjacent troughing idlers. The upper edge 84 of the spill plate is disposed well under the edge of the upper flight I 2 of the belt and far enough below said flight to prevent the same, when sagging under load, from contacting the upper edge 34. The top of sloping section 84 is formed over at 86 to form a rounded edge to prevent damage to the belt if it sags excessively and to provide strength in the upper edge of spill shield I6.

Referring now to Figs. 9, 10 and 11, we show a modified form of spill plate 3? and means to connect the same to the frame members of the troughing idlers. When the modification shown in these figures is used, the flanges 43 of the idler end frames 32 and 33 are omitted entirely and the vertical sections ll terminate along the line 42. The spill plate 8'! is provided at each end with a slotted opening 33. An adaptor plate 89 carries a bolt BI, having its head 93 welded in a depression 93 formed therein. The bolt 9! projects through the slotted opening 88 in the spill plate 81 so that the adaptor may be moved longitudinally on the spill plate and clamped in any desired position.

As best shown in Fig. 11, the adaptor plate is provided at its end with a notch 94 adapted to fit about the upwardly sloping ends of the transverse members 49 or 5|, the upper edge of the plate 89 being bent over as indicated at 96 to overlie the upper flange of the members 49 and 5|. The end of adaptor plate 91 extends well under the vertical section 4! of the end supports 32 and 33, which as stated are cut off along the line 42, and under the transverse members 19 or accurately space the chairs il apart.

5| The spill plate is provided with a downwardly opening, elongated slot 88, similar to the slot 18, and the lower end of the plate is secured to the channel H by bolts as already described. The upper end of the spill plate is notched out as indicated at 99 to provide clearance for the shoulder portion Hi resulting from the formation of the overhanging portion 96, as shown clearly in Fig. 11. The notch 99 and the appreciable spacing between the end of the spill plate 81 and frame member 49 allows longitudinal adjustment of the cooperating troughing idler as heretofore described in connection with spill plate 16. At the same time, the space between the end of spill-plate 81 and the idler framework is closed to prevent spilled material from falling on the return flight Hi of the belt. With the arrangement shown, the plate 89 may be firmly pressed against channel member 49 or and the nut onbolt 9i tightened. The spill plate is thus fastened to the chair support by a bolt passing through slot 98, and to the idler framework by the notch M in the adaptor plate 89. Transverse shifting of the chair support and idler assembly is prevented, since such movement places opposed spill plates on the same side in endwise compression.

The assembly of the troughing idler is accomplished by first constructing two sub-assemblies each composed of the channel supports t9 and 5|, one right hand end bracket 32 and one left hand end bracket 33 assembled as in Fig. 2 and welded together at NH. Prior to welding the three troughing rolls H, including their associated parts and brackets 56, resilient bushings 64 and washers 66 and 61 are assembled in place as shown in the drawings. The pins 63 are then installed as indicated to secure the roll brackets to the transverse channels 49 and 5!, and are locked by the washers H.

The roll [3 is assembled with channels 29 and 3| complete with their half sections of L-shaped brackets 26 fixed to the ends of the channels. The half sections of end brackets 26 are joined at 2611 in a satisfactory manner as by welding. It is to be noted that the upper edges of channels 29 and 3! are mounted in close proximity to the roll l3, thereby serving to reject any large pieces of material inadvertently falling between the channels and roll. At the same time, the channels act as roll cleaners if the roll is built up due to accumulation of sticky material.

When assembling the complete conveyor, the required number of chair supports ll carrying the return rolls l3 are distributed approximately the correct distance apart. The upper assemblies comprising end brackets 32 and 33 and the troughing rolls i I are placed on the upper flanges IQ of the chair supports and nuts 33 on bolts 31 are tightened. The upper and lower flights of the belt are threaded over their respective rolls. The spill plates are now attached, the fixed distance between the openings it or 98 serving to Bolts 16 are inserted through the slot 11 in the flange 43, together with the oval washer 82, permitting angular adjustment of the spill plates to accommodate any differences in elevation between adjacent assemblies. Finally, by loosening the nuts carried by bolts 23, 3'! and i6, the upper and lower rolls may be shifted to accurately train the belt, and may then be tightened to maintain the alignment. The overall assembly of the chair supports, upper idler framework, and spill plates is thus rigidly connected to prevent either transverse or longitudinal movement of the component .6 parts. Similar adjustability and rigidity are obtained when using the spill plate shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. It will be apparent that any material spilled from theupper flight is positively deflected away from the lower flight of the belt throughout the entire length of the conveyor.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that we have devised an improved conveyor mechanism. It is to be noted that the upper legs of the cross channels 293i, @9-5! are disposed slightly below the maximum diameter of their associated rolls. This arrangement minimizes the possibility of foreign matter lodging between the channel supports and the rolls and also affords a scraper to clean the rolls if any sizable quantity of sticky material is deposited thereon. Likewise, the bottom surface of rolls ll project below the lower legs of channels 69 and 5| as indicated clearly in Figs. 6 and 12. If the lower return flight of the belt is displaced upwardly for any reason, the same contacts the rolling surface of the upper rolls ll instead of a part of the framework, thereby preventing damage to the belt.

While we have shown and described apparatus embodying a plurality of upper rolls H and a single roll it, it will be apparent that single or multiple rolls may be used in either location without departing from the spirit of our invention. Likewise, the upper flight may be supported on a plurality of rolls disposed to form a flat or non-troughed support for the belt, with but minor modifications in our improved mounting and supporting arrangement. As is customary, every other idler roll it may be omitted since the lower flight need not be supported at as many points as the load carrying flight.

While we have shown our invention in but two forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and we desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In belt conveyor mechanism, a lower frame supporting spaced sets of upper and lower belt rolls, a supporting framework for the lower rolls embodying cross members positioned on opposite sides of the lower rolls and secured to the lower frame, an upper framework mounted on said lower frame for supporting the upper belt rolls, other cross members positioned on opposite sides of the upper rolls and secured to the upper framework, roll mounting brackets supporting the upper and lower rolls from their respective cross members, spill plates extending between sets of rolls and disposed to form longitudinal bracing therebetween, and means to adjustably connect the ends of the spill plates to the upper and lower framework to compensate for variations in elevation between adjacent sets of rolls.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the means to connect the spill plates to the upper and lower framework comprises a bolt passing through a lower portion of the spill plate and the lower framework and a second bolt passing through an upper part of the spill plate and upper framework, said upper framework being provided with a longitudinally elongated opening for the reception of said second bolt.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the means to connect the spill plates to the upper framework comprises a connector in the form of a plate embodying an opening in its end disposed to receive said cross member, a bolt passing through a lower part of the spill plate and the lower frame, and a second bolt carried by the adaptor and passing through an upper part of the spill plate, there being a 1ongitudinally elongated opening in the spill plate for the reception of the second bolt.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the cross members of the upper rolls are disposed substantially parallel to the axis of the upper rolls and are of less depth than the diameter of said rolls, whereby upon upward deflection of the return flight of the belt the same contacts the lower surface of the upper rolls, said upper and lower cross members being disposed close to the surface of the rolls thereby to prevent excessive accumulation of material thereon.

5. In belt conveyor mechanism, a lower frame supporting spaced sets of upper and lower belt rolls, a supporting framework for the lower rolls embodying cross members positioned on opposite sides of the lower rolls and secured to the lower frame, an upper framework mounted on said lower frame for supporting the upper belt rolls, other cross members positioned on opposite sides of the upper rolls and secured to the upper framework, roll mounting brackets supporting the upper and lower rolls from their respective cross members, said brackets each having opposed arms cooperating with the cross members,

a socket on the end of each arm, a bushing for the socket formed of resilient material, a pin passing through each bushing and its associated cross member, spill plates extending between sets of rolls and. forming longitudinal bracing therebetween, and means to adjustably connect the ends of the spill plates to the upper and lower framework to compensate for variations in elevations between adjacent sets of rolls.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which the cross members for the upper and lower rolls are channels with the flanges turned inwardly toward the rolls, the sockets of said roll mounting brackets being disposed between the legs of the channels, and in which the pin passes through the resilient bushing and the flanges of the channels.

SAMUEL J. SPURGEON. RUSI-ITON O. KIMBRO.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,589,091 Barber June 15, 1926 2,261,088 Kendall Oct. 28, 1941 2,437,499 Benjamin Mar. 9, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 299,203 Great Britain Oct. 25, 1928 338,605 Great Britain Nov. 24 1930 36 L294 Great Britain Jan. 7, 1932 

